Ballet slipper or toe shoe and method of making the same



s. CAPEZIO 1,891,022

BALLET SLIPPER OR TOE SHOE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Dec. 13, 1932.

Filed May 29. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .1. {5 m T N N R E, O w w A Salvcnore Cu Dec. 13, 3 CAPEZIO BALLET SLIPPER OR TOE SHOE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed May 29. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 b INVENTOR Sch adore Ca Z.|O24 W Patented Dec. 13, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT? OFFI-CE;,

SALVATORE CAPEZIO, or EAST rernnson, NEW JERSEY v BALLET SLIPPER OR TOE SHOE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE- SAME Application filed May 29, 1931. Serial No. 540,838.

This invention relates to dancing shoes such as ballet slippers and toe shoes, and to a method for making the same.

In manufacturing ballet slippers or toe shoes, it is-customary toform anupper, ap-

ply the same in inverted condition to a last.

provided with an outsole, stitch the upper to the outsole around therear portion of the outsole, and to thereafter bunch or gather up the material of the upper at the toe portion thereof and secure the same to the for ward portion of the outsole. In order to dis tribute the excess material of the upper, the same must be formed into plaits which are tediously individually sewed to the forward portion of the outsole. hen the slipper is finally removed from the last and turned, these plaits must be each straightened out and hammered into a finished condition which will not too seriously mar the appearance of the slipper. a

One primary object of the present invention is to simplify and cheapen the manufacture of such slippers by dispensing with the conventional plaits, and at the same time obviating the necessity for sewing the same by hand and straightening and accurately positioning the plaits. To this end the method of the present invention includes applying the upper in inverted condition to a-last provided with an outsolc, folding the toe portion of the upper over the toe of thelast and onto the sole, thereafter folding the sides of the upper material inwardly over the previously folded portion of the upper, and stitching all of the upper material, preferably by machine, entirely around the periphery of the sole. When the slipperis removed from the last and inverted, the folds of the upper material come inside ofthe smooth and continuous toe portion of the upper. The resulting slipper does not have the conventional radial plaits, and in fact is perfect y smooth and continuous except that'two fiat folds of material are located between the outside and inside of the slipper, andthe se folds are quite inconspicuous and unnoticeable. 7

The upper of toe shoes such as are her considered, is frequently madeof a relatively destructible material suchas satin or like fabric which rapidlywears and frays when the slippe is used. To overcome this defectit has heretofore been suggested to reinforce the toe portion of the slipper by any appro- 1 priate reinforcement capableof withstanding long wear. Oneexample of such reinforcement is disclosed in my prior-Patent N 0. 1,704,281, issued March 5, 1929, in which the reinforcement consists of lines of stitching arranged in close juxtaposition so as to form a practically continuous wear surface. This stitching is most conveniently applied to the material of the upper while the material is in a flat condition and before the same is formed into thefinished slipper. Other kinds of reinforcement may. also be used, such, as a layer of leather or-like material sewed or otherwise secured to the material of the upper. The resulting Wear resisting surface is preferably: located not merely at the tip or extreme toe of the slipper, but also extends beneath the sole of the slipper at the toe portionthereof as far as the ooutsole which itself terminates short of the toe of the slipper. One object of the present invention is to provide an improved kind of toe reinforcement which is durable and attractive, anda method for mark 7 ing the same in a facile and commercially practical manner. It will be evident that any such reinforce- ,ment thickens and reduces the flexibility of the materialof the upper and thereby makes it exceedingly difiicult to form a toe slipper in the conventional plaited manner. By mak 3 ing thereinforcement at the bottom of i the slipper exceedingly narrow, it is possible to locate the samebetweentwo adjacent'plaits, but in such case'no effective wear prevention is obtained. accordance with the further object of my invention the reinforcement at the bottom of the slipper is made relatively wide andextends directly to and forms practically. a continuation ofthe outsoleofithe slipper; It will be understood on slight re- 9 flection that the general method previously outlined makes possible thesuccessful fulfillment of this object of the present invention, for it is merely necessary to providethe toe portionofthe upper, preferably while IlOO the same is still in a flat condition, with stitching or other external reinforcement taking the form of a relatively wide band extending in the direction of the length of the slipper. As before, the inverted upper is applied to a last provided with a sole, and the toe portion of the upper including the reinforcing material is folded over the toe of the last and onto the sole. The relatively thin and non-reinforced sides of the upper material are thereafter folded inwardly over the last and over the previously folded reinforced upper material. The upper is stitched to the sole, the slipper removed from the last, and finally turned, at which time the reinforcing material is brought outside of the slipper, and the folds of non-reinforced upper material are brought inside of the reinforced toe portion of the slipper. In a reinforced toe slipper of this general type the two flat folds are totally unnotlceable because edges thereof look like merely the line of separation between the reinforced and non reinforced portions of the slipper.

The slipper as thus far constructed may for many purposes be insufficiently stiifened at the toe portion thereof. To further stiffen the same, the toe portion while still on the last may be wrapped with one or more layers of fabric thoroughly impregnated with a paste which remains soft during the construction of the slipper and thereby permits the same to be turned, though with some difficulty, but which subsequently hardens and stiifens the toe portion of the slipper. This portion of the process is more or less known to the art. In accordance with the present invention, however, the desired stiffening of the toe portion of the slipper may be obtained in a modified manner which greatly facilitates turning the slipper, for the turning operation is obviously not an easy one when the slipper to be turned includes a relatively thick mass of stiffening material. In accordance with this further feature of my invention the slipper is turned before any stiffening material is used, and thereafter a pre-shaped toe stiffening member, preferable made of leather, is inserted in the toe portion of the slipper.

In order to enhance the appearance of the finished slipper and to increase the foot comfort of the wearer, it is desirable that the slipper be provided with a lining, which lining will conceal and smoothly cover the parts of the slipper. The method or my invention may, therefore, further include providing the slipper with an appropriate lining, and this may best be done by first forming the upper together with a lining so that the same are sewed together around the top edge of the slipper but are separable at the bottom edge of the same. When the upper is aplied to the last, the lining may be turned back at the toe portion thereof, and when the the exposed.

upper and outsole are stitched together, the stitching preferably includes the lining as well as the upper at the rear portion of the slipper, but includes only the upper and not the lining at the toe portion of the slipper. lVhen the slipper is turned, the lining at the toe portion thereof may be pulled out of the slipper during the insertion of the toe stiffening member and, if desired, additional cushioning material. The lining may then be pushed back into the slipper and smoothly spread inside the same so as to cover the component parts of the slipper.

The slipper is further preferably provided with an insole which may, if desired, be made relatively stiff so as to provide an arch support. This insole is preferably dimensioned so that the forward edge of the same extends fully to the toe of the slipper and besides be ing cemented within the slipper is preferably secured thereto by nails which extend through both the insole and outsole.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as will hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the method steps and slipper elements and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and soughtto be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspcctive View of a finished slipper constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates an upper provided with toe reinforcement and lining material;

Fig. 3 indicates how the upper is applied to a last provided with an outsole;

Fig. 4 shows a later stage in the process;

Fig. 5 illustrates the same after the upper and outsole have been stitched together;

Fig. 6 shows the appearance of the bottom of the slipper after it has been turned;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a toe stiffenlng member;

Fig. 8 shows the mode of applying the same to a slipper;

Fig. 9 is a similar view of a finished slip- P Fig. 10 is explanatory of the toe reinforcement; and

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section taken in elevation through the toe portion of the slipper.

Referring first to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the upper is made of a. plurality of pieces, 2, 4, and 6, which are appropriately patterned and stitched together to take the shape indicated in the drawings. The upper is prefer-- ably at the same time provided with lining material such as the fabric sections 8, 10, and 12 the material of which may, if desired, differ. All of these sections of fabric are stitched together and held in desired relation by a tape 14 which finishes the appearthe reverse sides of the stitching.

anceofthe upper and which houses thetie or draw strings 16; The toe portion of the upper is preferably further provided with reinforcingmaterial indicated generally at 18. This, in the particular form here illustrated, consists of U-shaped rows of stitching arranged in close collateral relation so as to form a practically continuous wearing surface the top edge 20 of which is preferabl arcuate, as shown, but which surface takes the form, generally, of a wide band extending in the direction of the length of the slipper. It will be appreciated that the method of assembling the slipper, next described, is of value regardless of whether or not a toe reinforcement or wearing surface is provided, and that if such a surface is provided, it may consist of a thin layer of leather or similar material applied to the upper as well as the stitching here more particularly referred to. l

The upper shown in Fig. 2 is turned or inverted and is applied in that condition-to a last 22. The last has preliminarily fixed thereon an outsole 24. This may be made of leather which is channeled, as indicated at 26, to receive stitching, and the inside'or channeled surface of the sole is placed uppermost on the last. The sole may be temporarily held on the last by tacks 28 in usual fashion. If the upper is provided with a lining as previously outlined, the forward portion 8 thereof is preferably drawn downwardly away from the upper.' The toe portion, particularly the reinforced area 18 thereof, is next folded around the'toe of the last and bent over onto the forward end of the outsole 24. It may be well to point out that the external surface of the reinforcement is at this time concealed, and that theU- shaped lines indicated in Fig. 3 are in reality In other words, if a leather or like reinforcement were employed, it would not be visible in Fig. 3.

2 Referring now to Fig. 4, the excess material of the upper at the sides of the toe portion of the slipper, indicated at 30 and 32, is folded downwardly over the reinforced portion 18 of the slipper. The folds 30 and '32 are shown only partially formed, and are foreshortened for that reason, but when brought down fiat onto the surface 18, cover a greater area and extend morefully over the outsole 24 of the slipper, and specifically, extend well back of the end of the outsole 24.

The ontsole and upper are next stitched together, and this may be accomplished entirely by machine inasmuch as the material even at the toe portion of the slipper is sufficiently thin to be handled by the sewing machines used for this purpose. Any excess material of the'upper may then be trimmed off. The product at this stageis best shown in Fig. 5, in which'it should be'noted that the line of machine stitching 34 extends en-v tirely around the'periphery of the. outsole 24 in a continuous manner. It should further be noted that the excess material of the side folds 30 and 32 has beentrimmed, not only at the line of stitching 34,-but also along the lines 86, to avoid unnecessary thickness. It

may additionally be pointed out that while the toe portion 8 of the lining is shown turned back and therefore not stitched to-the out-- sole 24 by the stitching 34, the remainder of the lining may be and preferably is stitched directly to the outsole 24 at the same time that the upper is stitched thereto. Specifically, in Fig. 5 both the lining and upper are stitched together to the outsole around the the relatively thin andficxible nature of the upper material and the smooth fiat form of the. folds 30 and 82, the existence of these folds is concealed, and the desirable smooth appearanceof the toe portion of the slipper is not noticeablymarred;

To stiffen the toe portion of the slipper, I prefer to use a pre-shaped toe stiffening member such as is shown in perspective in Fig. 7. This toe stiffening member 40 may be made of a material such as leather, and

the trailing or rear edge 42 and the bottom edges 44 thereof are preferably skived down to a thin edge so that the inside of the finished slipper will be smooth. The stiffening member 40 is simply inserted inside of the slipper after the same has been turned.

If the forw'ardportion of the lining 8 is left loose as has so far been described and as is preferably the case, this portion of the lining may be pulled out of the slipper after the same has been turned, as is clearly evident from an inspection of F ig; 8. The pre-shaped toe stifiening member 40 may then be inserted" the slipper while the lining is drawn outside of the same, as 1s also evident from an inspection of Fig. 8. If desired, additional material may be inserted in the toe of the sllpper, such as a. cushioning member or the J I like, after which the lining 8 is pushed'back into the slipper and spread as smoothly as possible around the interior of the same. The lining thereby forms a perfectly continuous surface on the inside of the slipper, which smooths over any slight irregularities which may be caused by the provision of the component-parts of the slipper.such as the preshaped stiffening member 40. The liningis preferably'cemented'in place and is further held in place by subsequent insertion in the slipper of an insole 50, indicated in Fig. 9. The insole may, if desired, be merely a sock lining, but for toe dancing purposes this insole is preferably made relatively stiff so that it will serve to support the arch of the foot, in which case, as is illustrated in Fig. 9, the forward edge 52 of the insole is preferably brought fully up to the toe of the slipper so as to stiffen the edge of the slipper in addition to the support provided by the stiifening member 40. The insole 50'is cemented in place and is preferably further secured to the slipper by a plurality of nails, indicated at 54, which are preferably driven through both the insole 50 and the outsole 24 so as to lock the same securely together and thereby improve their arch supporting function.

It should be understood that stiffening material may be built up around the toe portion of the slipper instead of being subsequently applied thereto in the form of a pro-shaped stiffening member L0 here specifically illu trated. For example, when the slipper is in the condition shown in Fig. 5, layers of fabric impregnated with paste may be wrapped around the toe portion of the slipper and the slipper removed from the last and turned before the paste sets. The slipper may then be relasted to hold the same accurately in shape until the cement hardens, at which time the toe portion of the slipper will possess the desired rigid body. The use of a separate stiffening member such as was first described, is somewhat preferable because of the greater ease with which the slipper may be turned and because it shortens and simplifies the manual operations needed in making the slip It will, of course, be understood that the separate stiffening member 40 may be ccmented in place within the slipper, and that all of the various cemented components of the slipper may, if desired, be finally held accurately in place until the cement is fully set, by relasting the slipper.

The finished slipper is illustrated in perspective in Fig. 1 of the drawings. In that figure the relatively smooth and continuous relation between the toe portion of the upper 2 and the reinforced portion of the upper 18 shows how inconspicuous the concealed folds 30 and 32 of upper material may be made, and these two side folds are the only folds employed in the slipper construction. Plaits of conventional type which extend radially around the toe and which are thick and upright in nature are entirely obviated. It should also be noted that the reinforcement 18 extends along the bottom of the slipper as far as the outsole 24 of the same, and is relatively wide, being sufficiently wide to'take all of the wear imposed on this portion of the slipper.

The nature of my improved ballet slipper or toe shoe, and the method of making the same will, it is thought, be apparent from the foregoing description thereof. The manufacturing process is simplified and cheapened because the tedious hand working of plaits is dispensed with and machine stitching is employed throughout. The slipper is readily turned and preferably stifiened by subsequent insertion of a pre-shaped stiffening member. The toe portion of the slipper may be reinforced with any desired type of reinforcement, and the bottom of the slipper at the toe portion is likewise reinforced. This bottom reinforcement is wide and extensive in area, and yet does not make the slipper bulky or awkward in shape. Only two folds are formed at the toe portion of the slipper, and these folds are fiat and inconspicuous and are made in the non-reinforced and relatively flexible upper material. They finally show only as the boundary of the reinforcement.

It has already been mentioned that the toe reinforcement in this case comprises adjacent lines of stitching. It has heretofore been proposed to apply stitching to the toe of a slipper, but inasmuch as the stitching should be applied in a continuous line, the prior proposal was to run the stitching in spiral form. This, however, provides simply a circle of reinforcement instead of the desired elongated and relatively wide band illustrated in the drawings. In accordance with one feature of my invention the desired result may be obtained by making the stitching for two pieces of upper material at once, the stitching being made in the form of an elongated or flattened spiral, as is best shown in Fig. 10. In this figure it will be seen that a continuous line of stitching begins at the point and extends in parallel lines 62 which lie closely adjacent onc'another and which are interconnected at their ends by arcuate or semicircular lines 63, The stitching may finally be terminated atthe point 64. The single piece of fabric 66 to which the stitching has been applied is subsequently out along the dotted lines 68, thereby forming the toe portion for each of pair of slippers. In this way the advantage of continuous sewing, together with the advantage of a l wide protective band of stitching are obtained.

The stitchitself preferably consists of a relatively heavy cordextending in the form of the flattened or elongated spiral shown in Fig. 10, which cord is secured to the fabric 66 by stitching extending transversely of the cord. This is perhaps more clearly shown in Fig. 6. The actual sewing stitches run in a sort of zig-Zag relation, crossing the cord in one direction on top of the same, and extend ing in the alternate direction at the opposite side of the fabric. A single machine may be used which lays down the cord and stitches the same to the fabric. A small extra piece of fabric may'optionally be applied at the back of the regular fabric, but such fabric is preferably thin rather than heavy and serves merely to strengthen the secureness of the stitching through the fabric.

This security of the stitching may further be enhanced by running the same through a piece of backing material used on back of the satinor like fabric of the upper. The satin may, for convenience, initially be provided with a layer of fleecy backing material which is cemented thereto, so that the laminations of material may be handled and used as a single-piece of material. It is such a material which has been referred to throughout the preceding specification as constituting the upper. Of course while this backing material is desirable, it is not essential.

It will be understood that if desired the toe reinforcement or wearing surface may be omitted; the upper need not be made of fabric; the toe stiffening may, in some cases, be omitted; and the same, applies, of course, to the lining and the insole, although all of these elements are preferably employed. It may further be pointed outthat while a relatively stiff outsole which is channeled to receive stitching has been illustrated, such an outsole is not essential, for a'thinoutsole may, ifdesired, be used, and the insole relied upon to properly stiffen the shoe.

It will be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in the preferred form, many changes andmodifications may be made in the method and structure disclosed, without departing from the spirit of the invention, defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In the manufacture of ballet slippers or toe shoes having an outsole terminating a substantial distance short of the toe of the slipper in the conventional manner, the

method which includes forming an upper,

applying the said upper in inverted condition to a last provided with an outsole, folding the toe portion of the upper over the toe and flat onto the toe portion of the sole of the last, thereafter folding the sides of the upper material near the toe inwardly over the toe portion of the sole of the last, attaching the thus flatly folded upper material to the sole, removing the slipper from the last, and inverting the same to bring the folds of the upper material inside in a flat and inconspicuous manner.

2. In the manufacture of ballet slippers or toe shoes having an outsole terminating a substantial distance short of the toe of the slipper in the conventional manner, the

.Wltll reinforcing material located at the toe portion of the upper, applying the said upper in inverted condition to a lastprovided. with a sole, folding the toe portion of the upper including the reinforcing material over the toe and flat onto the toe portion of the sole of the last, thereafter folding the sides of the upper material near the toe inattaching the thus flatly folded upper ma'- terial to the sole, removing the slipper from the last, and inverting'the same to bring the reinforcing material outside in a flat and inconspicuous manner. I

a. In the manufacture of ballet slippers or toe shoes having an outsole terminatinga substantial distance short of the toe of the wardly over the sole of the last near the toe,

slipper in the conventional manner, the

method which includes forming a fabric upper with reinforcing material located at the toeportion ofthe upper, applying the said upper in inverted condition to a last provided with an outsole, folding the toe portion ofthe upper includingthe reinforcing ma terial over the toe and flat onto the toe portion of the sole of the last, thereafterfolding the non-reinforced fabric sides of the upper material near the toe inwardly over the toe portion of the sole of the last, machine stitching the thus folded upper'material entirely around the outsole, removing the shpper from the last, and inverting the same to bring the reinforcing material outside and the folds of the upper material inside in a flat and inconspicuous manner. I,

5. In the manufacture of ballet slippers or toe shoes having an outsole terminatmga substantial distance short of the toe of the slipper in the conventional manner, the

method which includes forming an upper and lining therefor with'reinforcing material located at the toe portion of the upper, applying the said upper and lining in inverted condition to a last provided with an outsole, folding the toe portion of the upper including the reinforcing material over the toe and flat onto the toe portion of the sole of the last, thereafter folding the sides of the upper material near the toe inwardly over the toe portion. of the sole of the last, stitching the thus flatly folded upper. material around the outsole, the said stitching including the 11ning material together with the upper except at the-toe portion of the slipper, removing the slipper from the last, and inverting the same to bring the reinforcing material outside and the folds of the upper material inside in a flat and inconspicuous manner, and subsequently securing the toe portion of the lining inside the toe of the slipper.

6. In the manufacture of ballet slippers or toe shoes having an outsole terminating a substantial distance short of the toe of the slipper in the conventional manner, the method which includes forming an upper,.applying the said upper in inverted condition to ,a last provided with an out-sole, folding the toe portion of the upper over the toe and fiat onto the toe portion of the sole of the last, thereafter folding the sides of the upper material near the toe inwardly over, the toe portion of the sole of the last, attaching the upper material to the outsole, removing the Slipper from the last, inverting the same to bring the folds of the upper material inside i in a-flat and inconspicuous manner, and finally inserting a relatively stiff arch supporting insole within the slipper and so securing the same within the slipper that the forward edge thereof extends fully to the toe of the slipper.

7. In the manufacture of ballet slippers or toe shoes having an outsole terminating a substantial distance short of the toe of the slipper in the conventional manner, the method which includes forming an upper, applying the said upper in inverted condition to a last provided with an .outsole, folding the toe portion of the upper over the toe and vflat onto the toe portion of the sole of the last, thereafter folding the sides of the upper material near the toe inwardly over the toe portion of the sole of the last, attaching the upper material to the outsole, removing the slipper from the last, inverting the same to bring the folds of the upper material inside in a fiat and inconspicuous manner, inserting a prershaped toe stiffening member inside the toe portion of the slipper, and inserting an insole within the slipper and securing the same in place.

8. In the manufacture of ballet slippers of toe shoes having an outsole terminating a substantial distance short of the toe of the slipper in the conventional manner, the method which includes forming an upper and lining therefor, applying the said upper and lining in inverted condition to a last provided with an outsole, folding the toe portion of the upper over the toe and fiat onto the toe portion of the sole of the last, thereafter folding the sides of the upper material near the toe inwardly over the toe portion of the sole of the last, stitching the upper material entirely around the outsole, the said stitchingincluding the lining material together with the upper except at the toe portion of the slipper, removing the slipper from the last, inverting the same to bring the folds of the upper material inside in a flat and inconspicuous manner, drawing the unattached toe portion of the lining outside the slipper, inserting a pre-shaped toe stiffening member inside the toe portion of the slipper, and restoring. the lining within the slipper so as to cover the toe stiffening member.

9. In the manufacture of ballet slippers or toe shoes having an outsole terminating a substantial distance short of the toe of the slipper in the conventional manner, the method which includes forming an upper with reinforcing material located at the toe portion of the upper, applying thesaid upper in inverted condition to a last provided with an outso'le, folding the toe portion of the upper including the reinforcing material over the toe and flat onto the toe portion of the sole of "the last, thereafter folding the sides of the upper material near the toe inwardly over the toe portion of the sole of the last, stitching the upper material to the outsole, removing the slipper from the last, inverting the same to bring the reinforced material outside and the folds of the upper material inside in a flat and inconspicuous manner, inserting a preshaped toe stiffening member inside the toe portion of the slipper, and inserting an insole within the slipper and securing the same in place.

10. In the manufacture of ballet slippers or toe shoes having an outsole terminating a substantial dista ce short of the toe of the slipper in the conventional mannenthe method which includes forming a fabric upper and lining therefor with reinforcing n'rateterial located at the toe portion of the upper, applying the said upper and lining in inverted condition to a last provided with a channeled outsole, folding the toe portion of the upper including the reinforcing mate rial over the toe and flat onto the toe portion of the sole of the last, thereafter folding the sides of the upper material near the toe inwardly over the toe portion of the sole of the last, machine stitching the thus folded upper material entirely around the outsole,

the said stitching including the lining material together with the upper except at the toe portion of the slipper, removing the slipper from the last, inverting the same to bring the reinforcing material outside and the folds of the upper material inside in a flat and inconspicuous manner, drawing the unattached toe portion of the lining outside the slipper, inserting a pre-shaped toe stiffening member inside the toe portion of the slipper, restoring the lining within the slipper so as to cover the toe stiffening member, and finally inserting an insole within the slipper and securing the same in place.

11. A ballet slipper or toe shoe the toe per-- tion of which is without the conventional eX- pos-ed hammered plaits, comprising an upper, an outsole, and an insole, the material of the upper at the toe portion thereof being folded around the tip of the insole and secured to the outsole, and the sides of the upper material at the toe portion thereof be ing folded inwardly around the insole to form flat folds located between the insole and the previously referred to toe portion of the upper.

12. A ballet slipper or toe shoe the toe portion of which is without the conventional exposed hammered plaits, comprisingan upper,'an outsole terminating a substantial distance short of the toe of the, slipper, and an insole, the material of the upper at the toe portion thereof being folded around the tip of the insole and attached to the outsole, the

- sides of the upper material at the toe portion thereof being folded inwardly around the insole to form two flat folds located between the insole and the previously referred to toe portion of the upper, and toe stiffening material at the toe portion of the slipper, said insole being located inside of the toe stiffening material.

13. A ballet slipper or toe shoe the toe portion of which is without the conventional exposed hammered plaits, comprising an upper, an outsole, and an insole, the material of the upper at the toe portion thereof being folded around the tip of the insole and attached to the outsole, the sides of the upper material at the toe portion thereof being folded inwardly around the insole to form fiat folds located between the insole, and the previously referred to toe portion of the upper, toe stifiening material at the toe portion of the slipper, and a lining arranged inside of the upper and the toe stiffening material, said insole being located inside of the lining and toe stiffening material.

14. A ballet slipper or toe shoe the toe portion of which is withoutthe conventional exposed hammered plaits, comprising an upper, an outsole terminating a substantial dis tance short of the toe of the slipper, and an insole, the material of the upper at the toe portion thereof being folded around the tip of the insole and sewed to the outsole, the sides of the upper material at the toe portion thereof being folded inwardly around the insole to form two flat folds located be tween the insole and the previously referred to toe portion of the upper, atoe stiffening member inserted in the toe portion of the slipper, and a lining arranged inside of the the the upper and the toe stiffening member, aforesaid insole being located inside of lining and toestiffening member and tending fully to the toe of the slipper.

15. A reinforced ballet slipper or toe shoe the toe portion of which is without conventional exposed hammered plaits, comprising an upper the toe portion of which is provided with suitable reinforcing material, an insole, and an outsole, the toe portion of the upper including the reinforcing material folded around the insole and secured to the forward portion of the outsole, the non-reinforced side portions of the upper at the toe of the slipper folded inwardly around the insole and between the insole and the reinforced portion of the upper in avflat and inconspicuous manner.

161A reinforced ballet slipper or toe shoe the toe portion of which is without the conventional exposed hammered plaits, comprising a fabric upper the toe portion of which is provided with suitable reinforcing material, aninsole, and an out-sole terminating a substantial distance short of the toe of the slipper, the toe portion of the upper including the reinforcing material being folded around the tip of the insole, and sewed to the forward portion of the outsole, the nonreinforced fabric side portions of the upper at the toe of the slipper being folded in.- wardly around the insole to form two flat folds located between the insole and the reinforced portion of the upper .in a flat and inconspicuous manner.

17. A reinforced ballet slipper or toe shoe the toe portion of which is without the conventional exposed hammered plaits, comprising an upper the toe portionof which is provided with suitable reinforcng materal,

ed inside of said toe stiffening material.

18. Areinforced ballet slipper or toe shoe I the toe portion of which is without the con ventional exposed hammered plaits, comprising an upper the toe portion of which is provided with suitable reinforcing mate- 'rial, an insole terminating a substantial distanceshort of the toe of the slipper, and an outsole, the toe portion of the upper including the reinforcing material being folded around the insole and secured to the forward portion of'the outsole, the non-reinforced side portions of the upper at the toe of the slipper being folded inwardly around the insole and between the insole and the and inconspicuous manner, toestiffening ma terial provided at the toe of the sllpper, and a lining provided inside of the upper and the toe stiffening material, the aforesaid insole reinforced portion of the upper and'in a flat being mounted inside of the toe stiffening material and the lining. V

19. A reinforced ballet slipper or toe shoe the toe portion of which is without the conventional exposed hammered plaits, comprising a fabric upper the toe portion of which is provided with suitable reinforcing material, an insole, and an outsole, the toe portion of the upper including the reinforcing material being folded around the tip of tl e insole and sewed to the forward portion of the outsole. the non-reinforced fabric side portions of the upper at the toe of the slipper being folded inwardly around the insole to form two flat folds located between the insole and the reinforced portion of the upper in a smooth and inconspicuous manner, a toe stiffening member inserted within the toe of the slipper, and a lining provided inside of the upper and the toe stiffening memher, the aforesaid insole being mounted inside of the lining and extending fully to the toe of the slipper.

20. A ballet slipper or toe shoe the toe portion of which is without the conventional exposed hammered plaits, comprising an upper and an outsole terminating; a substantial distance short of the toe of the slipper, the material of the upper at the toe portion thereof being attached to the outsole, the sides of the thin upper material at the toe portion being folded inwardly of the errterior of the slipper to form flat side folds located inconspicuously at the toe portion of the slipper.

21. A ballet slipper or toe shoe the toe portion of which is without the conventional exposed hannnered plaits, comprising an upper and an outsole terminating av substantial distance short of the toe of the slipper, the material of the upper at the toe portion thereof being attached to the outsole, the sides of the thin upper material at the toe portion being folded in two folds inwardly of the exterior of the slipper to form flat side folds located inconspicuously at the toe portion of the slipper, and additional toe stiffening material applied at the inside of the toe portion of the slipper inorder to stiffen the same.

22. A reinforced ballet slipper or toe shoe the toe portion of which is without the conventional exposed hammered plaits, comprising an upper and an outsole terminating a substantial distance short of the toe of the s ipper, the toe portion of the upper includlocated substantially coincident with the edges of the reinforced area, thereby making the folds additionally inconspicuous.

23. A reinforced ballet slipper or foe shoe the toe portion of which is without the coin Vcntional exposed hammered plaits, comprising an upper and an outsole terminating a substantial distance short of the toe of the slipper, the toe portion of the upper includ ing a longitudinally directed area of a suitable reinforcin material, the material of the upper at the toe portion thereof including the reinforcing material being attached to th outsole, the relatively thin non-reinforced up per material at the sides of the toe portion bein folded in two folds inwardly interiorly of the slipper to form flat side folds located inconspicuously within the toe portion of the slipper, and additional toe stiffening material applied to the inside of the toe portion of the slipper in order to stiffen the same, the exposed edges of the side folds being located substantially coincident with the edges of the reinforced area, thereby making the folds additi onally lIlCOl'lEiPlCLlOHS.

24:. A reinforced ballet slipper or toe shoe the toe portion of which is without the conventional exposed hammered plaits, comprising an upper the toe portion of which is provided with a longitudinally directed area of a suitable reinforcing material, an insole, and an outsole, the toe portion of the upper including the reinforcing material folded around the insole and secured to the forward portion of the outsole, the non-reinforced side portions of the upper at the toe of the slipper folded inwardly around the insole and be tween the insole and the reinforced portion of the upper, the folds of the side portions of the upper located substantially coincident with the edges of the reinforced area, whereby the excess material at the toe portion of the upper is disposed of in a flat and inconspicuous manner.

25. A reinforced ballet slipper or toe shoe the toe portion of which is without the conventional exposed hammered plaits, comprising an upper the toe portion of which is provided with a longitudinally directed area of asuitable reinforcing material, an insole, and an outsole, the toe portion of the upper including the reinforcing mate ial folded around the insole and secured to the forward portion of the outsole, the non-reinforced side portions of the upper at the toe of the slipper folded inwardly around the insole and between the insole and the reinforced portion of the upper, whereby the excess material at the toe portion of the upper is disposed of in a flat and inconspicuous manner, and the width of the reinforced area being approximately equal to the width of the toe of the slipper.

26. A reinforced ballet slipper or toe shoe the toe portion of which is without the con May A. D. 1931.

ventional exposed hammered plaits, comprising an upper the toe portion of which is provided with a longitudinally directed area of a suitable reinforcing material, an insole, and an outsole, the toe portion of the upper including the reinforcing material being folded around the insole and secured to the forward portion of the outsole, the non-reinforced side portions of the upper at the toe of V the slipper being folded inwardly in flat folds I within the slipper, the width of the reinforced area being approximately equal to the width of the toe of the slipper, and the folds of the side portions of the upper being located substantially coincident with the edges of the reinforced area, whereby the excess material at the toe portion of the upper is disposed of in a fiat and inconspicuous manner.

27. A ballet slipper or toe shoe the toe portion of which is without the conventional exposed hammered plaits, comprising an upper, an insole, and an outsole, of the conventional i short type terminating a substantialdistance short of the toe of the slipper, the toe portion of the upper being folded around the insole and secured to the forward portion of the outsole, the side portions of the upper at the toe of the slipper being folded inwardly in flat folds within the exterior of the slipper, whereby the excess material at the toe portion of the upper is disposed of in a fiat and inconspicuous manner.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 28th day of SALVATORE GAPEZIO. 

